YEAR-URBAN 2

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PTI

December 18, 2016

UPDATED: December 18, 2016 11:15 IST

As many as 482 cities have reported to have become open

As many as 482 cities have reported to have become open defecation free during 2016 with Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Sikkim declaring all its cities and towns achieving such a feat. Kerala is set to do so by March next year.

While there were widespread activities under Swachh Bharat Mission, the year also saw enactment of Real Estate Act and simplification of approvals for building plans and construction permits.

Under Heritage Infrastructure Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY), implementation of projects worth about Rs 200 crore has begun during 2016 in the cities of Ajmer, Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh), Amritsar, Kancheepuram and Vellankini (both in Tamil Nadu), Varanasi and Warangal (Telangana).

The year also saw approval of 9.02 lakh affordable houses for urban poor under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) scheme.

Significantly, a total investment of Rs 2.72 lakh crore was approved for augmenting urban infrastructure during January-December with Rs 1.32 lakh crore under smart city plans of 60 cities, Rs 30,657 crore under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Rs 48,773 crore under PMAY (Urban) and Rs 22,118 crore for new Metro projects.

About Rs 5,500 crore investment was approved under Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) and Rs 32,835 crore for redevelopment of seven central government residential colonies in New Delhi.

For Delhi, the central government also approved redevelopment of seven General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) colonies at a total investment of Rs 32,835 crore on self-financing basis during the year.

Investment of Rs 30,657 crore was approved under Atal Mission during 2016 for improving infrastructure relating water supply, sewerage networks, storm water drains, urban transport with focus on non-motorised transport and open and green spaces.

During the year, a qualitative transformation has been set in motion with cities embarking on credit rating which is necessary for mobilisation of much required resources through municipal bonds. (MORE) PTI MP ZMN DIP

This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.

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